UFC, Strikeforce Vet Kurt Holobaugh Excited With Titan FC (Exclusive)

Kurt Holobaugh has competed for Strikeforce, the UFC and other regional circuits.

Now calling Titan FC home, Holobaugh believes he can put together a strong 2014 and lead himself back to the Octagon.

In the meantime, though, he is quite content with competing for Jeff Aronson and Titan FC.

Recently, Holobaugh (11-2) picked up his third straight victory by earning a decision over Eric Marriott at Titan FC 27: Ricci vs. Gurgel. After 2013 losses to Pat Healy in Strikeforce and Steven Siler in the UFC, Holobaugh was excited start the year with his hand being raised.

“I think it’s gonna be a ride with Titan,” he said, during a recent interview with FightLine. “It’s a great place to fight and I don’t mind fighting all of 2014 (with Titan FC).”

Holobaugh did add one more thing to that comment, saying, “Of course, I’ll be looking to get back to the UFC soon. I think they still owe me a bonus and I need to go get it.”

His UFC 150 fight with Siler was a three-round battle and many felt the featherweight encounter was deserving of “Fight of the Night” status. Instead, that bonus – and the cash prize with it – went to Healy and Jim Miller.

Healy, though, had his award taken away after he failed the post-fight drug test.

For now, Holobaugh is thinking towards a possible fight at Titan FC 29, as he suffered a hand injury vs. Marriott.

“I still have more fights on my contract and they plan to keep me busy,” he said. “The doctor said the hand it’s broken, but it does have a small compression fracture.

“Maybe I’ll be out for about six weeks or so.”

Holobaugh picked up two first round submission wins after his release from the UFC, giving him eight victories by tap in his career.

In Marriott, the 27-year-old found a difficult opponent to put away.

“I know Marriott is a tough fighter so I wasn’t really surprised (I couldn’t finish him),” he said. “I never really felt that I was trying too hard for the finish. I think I just missed a few opportunities that I could have had (to get the finish).”

Training at Gracie United, Holobaugh works with the likes of Justin Martin, Jack Brumfield, Robert Dunn, Chris Pham and others, who are “all Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belts or higher.

“I have great training partners,” he added.

Having seen what the other promotions have to offer, Holobaugh compared the Titan FC event more to a Strikeforce card.

“It really wasn’t all that different,” Holobaugh said. “The way Titan takes care of you made it feel like the UFC. I thought it felt more like the Strikeforce fight (for me).”

With the UFC still in his future plans, Holobaugh did say that “I love everything about Titan FC. They definitely have big things to come in the future.” Titan FC also gives fighters an out-clause to leave for the UFC if the promotion offers a contract.